Dabura

It's tempting to say AA's mentally checked out and Blashill's giving him the opportunities he's giving him mostly for showcasing purposes. Or maybe AA simply hasn't figured out that the whole one-man bum-rush thing isn't working for him. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Alcohol: This season's MVP.

End of 1st. Rangers lead 1-0. Wings owned the first five minutes but couldn't capitalize on their chances. Rangers pushed back and were the better team in the second half. Wings' two power plays were bad. AA looks awful.

Rangers score. 1-0.

PK 1:40 PP

PP

Gratuitous HYPE!

No Mantha tonight. Nagging groin problem. If "nagging" means the last couple of weeks or somwhere thereabouts, that could partially explain why Mantha's been in a funk. Mickey noted a few games ago that Mantha wasn't smiling, didn't seem to be enjoying himself as much as he should be.

USA ties it late and wins in the shootout. Mittelstadt with three assists, Tkachuk with late-game heroics. Buffalo with endless snowfall.

USA!

https://www.nhl.com/standings The playoff race is shaping up to be really interesting. Could be very profitable for sellers. The rise of Vegas, Winnipeg, New Jersey means we could be looking at several should-be-contenders being on the outside looking in from here on out. Currently not occupying a playoff spot: Calgary, Anaheim, Chicago, Pittsburgh. All four of those organizations are in "We want the Cup" mode and all four of the respective GMs are willing to make big trades. Additionally, one or two or all three of the aforementioned Knights, Jets, Devils could decide to go all in on a Cup push.

Now watch the Wings win 9-0 tonight, because of course.

He's arguably been our best player over the past two games. I wouldn't call him a bona fide first-liner in the NHL (at least, not yet), but I think this promotion is well-deserved. In theory, his skill set could complement Nyquist and Zetterberg quite well. I mean, it's not like we have much to lose at this point anyway. Might as well try some new things out.

That Filip Zadina tho.

https://www.nhl.com/redwings/news/notes-mantha-questionable-for-tonights-game-against-the-rangers/c-294457402 Could be without Mantha tonight. (Maybe that's why Blashill was giving Bertuzzi a look on the top line and the power play?) He got shoved face-first into the boards in the last game. When I saw it, I immediately figured he'd be missing some time. I'm guessing that's what he's dealing with. We'll see.

HYPE! LGRW

Agreed. Mantha's in a funk. I actually think AA has been a weak link on that power play unit, but I get wanting to try Bertuzzi in Mantha's role and not AA's role.

It's still early days. My current #2 and #3 are Svechnikov and Boqvist, respectively, but Zadina is making an increasingly strong case for being considered Svechnikov's equal, and Hughes might honestly be the second best defenseman in this draft class. Those are my non-Dahlin top four right now. Those are the players I -- as a Wings fan first and a hockey fan second -- find the most tantalizing right now. A lot can change between now and June, though.

Yep, replacing Mantha on the top line and on the second power play unit. Of course, there's no guarantee that it's actually going to be a thing. I guess we'll see what we see...

I was hoping he'd get a look on Z's wing. Good stuff.

https://www.sbnation.com/2017/12/28/16825704/nhl-trade-rumors-anthony-duclair-coyotes-2017 http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/31-thoughts-letangs-situation-complex-season-deal/ 5. I always wonder about Detroit whenever a top defender is available.

Devils score. ENG. 3-1. Devils win 3-1. We just need to go on a run here.

PK

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